I think it goes under the radar, because it was so early in the season, but the James Henry goal at Hillsborough a few years back was one of my favourite OUFC goals ever. My first big away day post lockdown, my first visit to a genuinely superb ground, it’s one of my defining OUFC moments. I was honestly nearly in tears coming out of the ground, just because it had been so long since I’d had that feeling. It’s been a ground and a team that’s seemed generally kind to us (last December aside) and, very selfishly, with all their horrific off-field activity at the moment, an ideal fixture to have at this point in the season.
Given Rowett’s increasingly apparent distrust of any of our CMs outside of Vaulks, CB and Matos, the decision not to recruit further in that area in January seems increasingly strange. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t start Brannagan here. A superb player he may be, but not one (it sounds like) in a sufficient physical state to start three high intensity games in a week. I’d start Matos and Vaulks, bringing on Cam if needed later on.
I was looking at it today, and I really think we do have, on paper, such a favourable run in. Wednesday, Sunderland and Swans should all be on the beach (or at least, not at full throttle) when we play them, and you’d much rather be facing them now than, say, a couple of months ago. Cardiff will be horrible, a real six pointer, and Leeds will be tough (but so good to be playing them in their ‘falling apart’ stage, especially after last Saturday), but nothing insurmountable. As frustrating as this Wednesday was, we’re still in ultimately the same position: one win, I think, more or less gets us safe.
Can’t make it tomorrow but hope all who do go get their James Henry moment all over again. I think we can do it.
what a day that was! Good memories.
